FIVE babies were the best Christmas presents their parents could ever have hoped for.

First to arrive was Thomas, a first child for Teresa Connelly and Kevin Hannam of Jubilee Road, Devizes, who was born at the Royal United Hospital in Bath at 4.06am. He weighed eight pounds 11 ounces.

Miss Connelly, 36, went into labour on Christmas Eve and went to Devizes Maternity Unit.

She was transferred to the Bath hospital for the birth, but returned to Devizes on Christmas Day.

Mr Hannam, 40, and Miss Connelly have been together for almost four years and moved to Devizes 18 months ago from Slough.

Mr Hannam, a pallet repairer, said: "After Thomas was born I proposed to Teresa and she accepted."

The couple said they were appalled at the health trust's proposals to transfer birthing and in-patient post-natal care from Devizes to Trowbridge.

Mr Hannam said: "Being in the unit and seeing how it works brings it home to you just how excellent it is."

Daniel Michael Reeves, the second child of Dawn and Michael Reeves of Mayenne Place, Devizes, was born on Christmas Day at 11.15am in the birthing pool at Devizes Maternity Unit.

He weighed in at just over seven pounds.

Mrs Reeves, 27, started her labour pains at 5.30am and she and husband Michael, 40, went straight to the Devizes unit.

Mrs Reeves was one of 10,000 people who signed a petition to save Devizes Maternity Unit from closure.

Mr Reeves, a delivery driver, said: "The unit is superb. It should never be shut. The staff are brilliant."

Jordan Isaiah Fernandes caused something of a surprise when he was born at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon at 6.45pm.

He was three days

early and weighed in at 7lb 8oz.

His parents Jerry, 29, and Jenifa Fernandes, 29, of Chepstow Close, Swindon, both Catholics, were thrilled their baby had been born on the special day.

Jenifa's parents came over from Goa in India to give their support.

Natalie and Delroy King, parents of Issac Elijah King were not expecting their son until the New Year.

Mum Natalie, 30, of Tracey Close, Swindon, the head of science at Hreod Parkway School, had

been working up until last week.

Issac was born at 10.30pm weighing 6lb 13oz.

Mrs King said afterwards: "My pupils will be chuffed

to bits to see him in the paper."

Nadia Fauzia gave birth to Abu Bakr Siddiq

Mohamed, who weighed 7lb 14oz, at the Great Western Hospital at 10.08pm, more than a week after he was due.

The couple are originally from Madagascar, but grew up in France and are practising Muslims.

Dad Jamal works at Swindon Pressings.